The nation’s leader in three-point field goals will not be suiting up for the Kentucky Wildcats in 2025-26. Instead, he’ll be suiting up for Jerome Tang in Manhattan, Monmouth transfer Abdi Bashir Jr. committing to Kansas State on Monday.
“Every Man A Wildcat,” Bashir wrote on social media. “K-State let’s work.”
The 6-foot-7 guard finished the 2024-25 season averaging 20.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game while shooting 37.7 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from three-point range. He led the nation with 127 made threes, making him an obvious fit among high-majors looking for some shot-making help when he hopped in the portal in late March — Kentucky included.
The sniper was interested in hearing the Wildcats’ pitch.
“I mean, it’s Kentucky. You have to take into consideration what it is. It’s the bluest of blue bloods,” Bashir told KSR+. “I’ve been watching the program since I was a kid during the [John] Calipari era. Now, Coach [Mark] Pope is having his way with it. It’s a great program through it all.”
Instead, he’ll be suiting up for another group of Wildcats, opting instead for the Big 12 under Tang.
As for Kentucky’s plans at the shot-making guard spot, attention has quickly turned toward USC transfer Wesley Yates III, who entered the portal on Saturday. The Wildcats have also been linked to the likes of Jacksonville State transfer Jaron Pierre Jr., Princeton transfer Xaivian Lee and Sam Houston transfer Lamar Wilkerson, among other guards.
The puzzle pieces are starting to come together, folks.
Kentucky Basketball 2025-26 Roster Tracker
Here is a running list of who’s coming, going, or being contacted by the staff as the 2025-26 roster comes together.
PORTAL TARGETS (12)
- Wesley Yates III – Southern California – 14.1 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 1.8 APG, 47.8 FG%, 43.9 3PT%
- Mouhamed Dioubate – Alabama – 7.2 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.1 APG, 61.7% FG, 46.2% 3PT
- Alvaro Folgueiras – Robert Morris – 13.8 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 3.1 APG, 54.4 FG%, 41.5 3PT%
- Mackenzie Mgbako – F – Indiana – 12.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 1.1 APG, 43.7% FG, 32.9% 3PT
- Jaron Pierre Jr. – Jacksonville State – 21.6 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 3.8 APG, 42.4 FG%, 38.2 3PT%
- Rodney Rice – Maryland – 13.8 PGG, 2.2 RPG, 1.2 APG, 43.4 FG%, 37.4 3PT%
- Elijah Moore – G – Syracuse – 5.2 PPG, 1.5 RPG, 6.4 APG, 39.1% FG, 31.5% 3PT
- Elyjah Freeman – F – Lincoln Memorial (DII) – 19.3 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 2.4 APG, 57.8% FG, 46.3% 3PT
- Frankie Collins – G – TCU – 11.2 PGG, 4.4 RPG, 4.4 APG, 42.2% FG, 26.1% 3PT
- Lamar Wilkerson – G – Sam Houston – 20.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.1 APG, 47.7% FG, 44.5% 3PT
- Alex Steen – F – Florida Southern (DII) – 17.9 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 2.5 BPG, 56.2 FG%, 28.6 3PT
- Xaivian Lee – G – Princeton – 16.9 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 5.5 APG, 43.9 FG%, 36.6 3PT%
COMMITS (2)
- Kam Williams – G – Tulane – 9.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.3 APG, 48.5% FG, 41.2% 3PT | Committed 3/28
- Jaland Lowe – G – Pittsburgh – 16.8 PPG, 5.5 APG, 4.2 RPG, 37.6% FG, 26.6% 3PT | Committed 4/5
RETURNING / INCOMING (8)
- Otega Oweh – G – Rising Senior – 16.2 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.7 APG, 49.2% FG, 35.5% 3PT
- Brandon Garrison – C – Rising Junior – 5.9 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 1.9 APG, 50.9%
- Collin Chandler – C- Rising Sophomore – 2.7 PPG, 1.0 RPG, 0.7 APG, 36.1% FG, 34.7% 3PT
- Travis Perry – PG – Rising Sophomore – 2.7 PPG, 0.8 RPG, 0.6 APG, 31.3% FG, 32.1% 3PT
- Trent Noah – F – Rising Sophomore – 2.7 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 0.4 APG, 45.1% FG, 33.3% 3PT
- Malachi Moreno – C – Incoming Freshman – Great Crossing (Georgetown, KY)
- Jasper Johnson – SG – Incoming Freshman – Overtime Elite (Lexington, KY)
- Acaden Lewis – PG – Incoming Freshman – Sidwell Friends (Washington DC)
DEPARTURES (1)
- Kerr Kriisa – G – Senior – 4.4 PPG, 3.8 APG, 2.4 RPG, 27.9% FG | Entered Portal 3/31 | Committed to Cincinnati
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